HOLY YEAR

Hokitika Guardian, 7 April 1933, Page 8

HOLY YEAR

POPE PIUS’ PROCLAMATION

CENTENARY OF CHRIST’S DEATH

In broadcasting a message to the wond on December 24, 1932, His Holiness Pope Pius'Ai. proclaimed a Holy tear lor Roman Cacnoucs from April 2,193 b, to April 2, 19-34, in celebration of tne lull centenary of the aeatli ol whilst. The Pope emphasised the iniquitous treatment religion and the Rutin ui in Spam, Russia and Mexico, ji-qualiy grievo-us were the differences among nations. The errors of war and civil war were making worse the financial and economic crisis,-but one consolation was the triumphant success of the Eucharistic Congress. The Pope appealed tor devotion in matters of iiigh spirituality and for, interest in tne souls of men during the Holy

i ear. ’the Pope’s decision to proclaim .a Holy Year "was reached only on December 21, 1932. His Holiness previously had decided against a celebration owing to a dispute as- to whether 1933 or 1.934: would witness the 19th centenary of the Crucifixion, although “a majority of learned men” agreed that it'Was 1933. Amid the ringing of the church bells all over Rome, tne Bull Quod Nuper announcing an extraordinary Iri-oly Year as from April 2 was read on January 15 last from the portico of St. Peter’s In previously authorising in bjs Throne Room the publication of this Bull, the Pope insisted that the forthcoming jubilee was to the highest degree extraordinary, as it commemorated the 19th centenary of the Re-

demption. The proclamation was a call for peace in the loftiest and vastest sense of the word, a call for the great peace of the whole world to which all the human, race had been bidden. After the audience a precession of prelates at once went down to the portico of the Basilica, where the Bull was read by Monsignor Dante, pontificial master of ceremonies, from a special pulpit set up beside the central doorway. The Bull called to mind the great events of the year, the memory of which is about to be celebrated, from the institution of the Blessed Eucharist to the descent of the Holy Ghost on the Apostles, and the wonders which marked the first preaching of the Gos- I pel. “In this jubilee year,” the Bull proceeded, “leti the faithful approach more frequently and with great devotion the sacraments of Penance and the Holy Eucharist. Let them meditate piously in particular on Good Friday on the Passion of Our Lord, and as it is only in Rome that the jubilee indulgence can he gained, the Pope desires- that the faithful shouiu come in-- great numbers.” The Bull also recorded the Pope’s wish that 1 during this year! pilgrimages to )the Holy Land should he more nmneroiis, arid that in the places where notable relics of the passion fire preserved they should be venerated with special piety. A plenary indulgence is‘granted to all the faithful who'after confession and Holy Communion j - shall visit three times each all theffour major Basilicas of Rome and there recite the prescribed prayers. Between 200,090 and 300,000 pilgrims are expected to visit Rome'in connection with'the celebrations. No advantages will accrue to Roman Catholics in New Zealand unless they make- a. pilgrimage to Rome, as the privilege can he gained only by those who make that journey. The inception of the Holy Year was not marked by any celebration in dominion churches. It is probable that nextyear the privileges will be extended to, Roman Catholics all over the world and that the benefits will be availabe to all iu their own localities.